Rangers Notes: First Baseman Napoli Returns to Texas

Mike Napoli drew 45 walks and drove in 40 runs with 32 extra-base hits across 98 games this year for the Boston Red Sox.

A familiar face from the franchise’s most successful season was brought back into the mix Friday when Boston traded Mike Napoli to the Rangers in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

Napoli, 33, played in a total of 221 games for Texas between 2011 and ’12, making the majority of his starts at catcher while also seeing playing time at first base and designated hitter.

Since signing a free-agent contract with Boston prior to the 2013 campaign, however, Napoli has only appeared at first base and DH, and he is not expected to get behind the plate for the Rangers anytime this season.

“I envision using him as part of the process of winning ballgames,” manager Jeff Banister said of Napoli. “How we use him will be determined by how he plays, how he hits and how he fits into the lineup. We’ll see where it takes us.”

For the time being, Napoli is likely to get most of his at-bats as a pinch-hitter and occasional starter when Mitch Moreland sits against left-handed pitchers. Napoli’s career on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) versus lefties is more than 250 points higher than that of Moreland.

While he is not accustomed to part-time or backup duties, Napoli – who can become a free agent this winter – was willing to shed his everyday status to re-join Texas down the stretch.

“I want to win,” he said. “I’m not worried about the offseason or where I will be next year. I want to win here, make the playoffs and go on a run.”

Napoli played a key role in the Rangers’ run to the World Series in 2011, batting .328 (19-for-58) with three home runs and 15 runs batted in across 17 playoff games, and he was the starting catcher for the American League All-Star team the following summer.

Twenty-five-year-old outfielder Ryan Rua was sent down to Triple-A Round Rock to make room for Napoli on the active roster, and a 40-man roster spot was created when Kyle Blanks was transferred from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list.

Martin Optioned to Triple-A

One of this season’s pleasant surprises has been the performance of rookie outfielder Delino DeShields, although his emergence as an everyday player has cut directly into the playing time of Leonys Martin.

Martin was optioned to Round Rock before last Tuesday’s game against Houston while the contract of outfielder Ryan Strausborger was purchased by the Rangers in a corresponding roster move.

The Opening Day center fielder for Texas in each of the past three seasons, Martin had become relegated to a late-inning defensive replacement in recent weeks as DeShields has garnered more starts.

The 27-year-old Strausborger, meanwhile, scored a run in his major-league debut on Wednesday versus the Astros, then collected his first base hit and drew a pair of walks Saturday in Seattle.

Pastornicky Dealt to Phillies

The Rangers traded 25-year-old infielder Tyler Pastornicky to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Pastornicky appeared in a total of 81 games between Frisco and Round Rock this season, batting .281 with 19 doubles and 24 runs batted in.

In addition, right-handed pitchers Anthony Bass and Luke Jackson were recalled from Triple-A Round Rock last Thursday while lefty Alex Claudio and righty Phil Klein were both optioned.

Rangers Notes: Texas Reaches Deals with Top Four Picks

In his first full season as a starter, Dillon Tate went 8-5 with an earned run average of 2.26 and 111 strikeouts for UC-Santa Barbara this year.

The Rangers have agreed to terms with each of their top four selections from this month’s amateur draft, including right-handed pitcher Dillon Tate, who was officially signed on Jun. 12 and received a bonus of $4.2 million.

Outfielder Eric Jenkins (second round, $2 million), right hander Michael Matuella (third round, $2 million) and right-hander Jake Lemoine (fourth round, $528,000) also agreed to terms on deals with Texas.

Tate, 21, was the first pitcher selected in the draft after shortstops were taken with each of the first three picks, and he has been assigned to the short-season Class-A Spokane Indians.

“I’m really excited and [blessed] to have this go as smoothly as it did,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of work to do and I’m ready to get to work on things. You often hear pitchers talk about fastball command. That’s the first step for me.”

After working out of the bullpen his freshman and sophomore seasons at UCSB, Tate moved into the starting rotation this spring and struck out 111 batters in 103-plus innings pitched.

“You’ve got a guy with a fresh arm, an electric arm and a guy willing to put in the work and ask the right questions to improve,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “No doubt, a definite starter for us.”

Jenkins and Lemoine, meanwhile, were both assigned to the Arizona Summer League Rangers while Matuella was added to the Spokane roster but will stay in North Texas as he recovers from reconstructive Tommy John surgery.

Odor Recalled as DeShields Hits DL

Infielder Rougned Odor was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock last Monday when outfielder Delino DeShields was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, an injury he suffered during the previous day’s loss to Minnesota.

DeShields appeared to strain the hamstring while chasing down an eventual triple by Shane Robinson in the left-center field gap.

On Thursday, right-hander Anthony Ranaudo was called up from Triple-A to make a spot start against the Dodgers, with infielder Kyle Blanks heading to the DL (Achilles tendinitis) in a corresponding roster move.

Ranaudo was optioned back to Round Rock the following day as left-hander Alex Claudio was recalled, and Jake Smolinski was designated for assignment when outfielder Ryan Rua was activated from the 60-day disabled list.

Smolinski, who batted .133 (8-for-60) with 12 runs scored in 35 games for Texas this season, was then claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

Alfaro Likely Out for Season

Catching prospect Jorge Alfaro will is expected to miss the rest of the year after suffering a “significant left ankle injury”, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News.

Alfaro, 22, was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 3 prospect in the Rangers’ organization behind infielder/outfielder Joey Gallo and right-handed pitcher Jake Thompson heading into this season.

Grant reports that Alfaro has been wearing a walking boot, and Texas director of player development Mike Daly said “he could be out for some significant time.”

Rangers Notes: Gonzalez Spins Shutout in Second Start

Chi Chi Gonzalez (left) is greeted by catcher Robinson Chirinos after his 4-0 shutout Friday in Kansas City.

Making just his second major-league start, Texas right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez scattered three hits and tossed a complete-game shutout in the Rangers’ 4-0 win over the Royals last Friday at Kauffman Stadium.

Gonzalez, 23, very nearly made the team out of spring training before he was sent to Triple-A for more seasoning, and he has pitched well in each of his first three big-league appearances so far this year.

He required 116 pitches to get through his shutout against Kansas City, and Texas manager Jeff Banister admitted that the decision to send Gonzalez back out to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning was not an easy one.

“This is a young man that’s fresh in the big leagues,” Banister said. “I’m very conscious of where he is. I felt like there was not a lot of stress on any of the innings. I felt he was still in control, the velocity and pitch ability was still there.”

The complete-game shutout thrown by Gonzalez – which was the first by a Rangers rookie since Derek Holland in 2009 – helped Texas move into second place behind Houston in the American League West.

Backed by a seven-inning quality start from southpaw Wandy Rodriguez on Saturday, the Rangers took two out of three games from the Royals over the weekend before losing two of three this week in Oakland.

Nick Martinez gave up just one hit and did not allow a run across his six innings pitched Tuesday, and the Texas bullpen held off a late rally to preserve a 2-1 victory over Sonny Gray and the A’s.

On Wednesday, however, a 10-strikeout performance by Yovani Gallardo went for naught as the bullpen failed to hold a 4-2 lead, with three Texas relievers giving up one run apiece in a 5-4 loss to Oakland.

The Rangers’ relief corps was even worse in a lopsided 7-0 defeat Thursday afternoon, as the trio of Sam Freeman, Jon Edwards and Ross Detwiler combined to allow six earned runs on three hits and three walks in just one inning of work.

Despite losing their series at O.co Coliseum, the Rangers were provided with an opportunity to face Athletics reliever Pat Venditte, a switch-pitcher who logged three and one-third scoreless frames against Texas while throwing both left- and right-handed.

Tate Selected in First Round of Draft

With the No. 4 overall pick in Monday’s first-year player draft (their highest selection since 1986), the Rangers took right-handed pitcher Dillon Tate out of the University of California-Santa Barbara.

Texas chose the 21-year-old Tate after shortstops had been taken with each of the first three picks – Dansby Swanson (Diamondbacks), Alex Bregman (Astros) and Brendan Rodgers (Rockies).

Tate was converted from a closer into a starter last season at UCSB, posting an 8-5 record with 111 strikeouts across 14 starts while relying on an above-average fastball and a sharp breaking slider.

In the second round of the draft Monday night, Texas picked high school outfielder Eric Jenkins at No. 45 overall. Jenkins, who had committed to UNC-Wilmington, projects as a center fielder whose strongest tools are speed and hitting for contact.

Gonzalez, Russell to Join Rangers Hall of Fame

Two-time American League Most Valuable Player Juan Gonzalez and former All-Star reliever Jeff Russell were announced this week as the newest members of the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame.

Gonzalez hit 372 home runs and racked up 1,180 RBIs — both franchise records — during his time in a Rangers uniform (1989-99, 2002-03), winning A.L. MVP awards in both ’96 and ’98 while anchoring the Texas lineup during the club’s first three playoff appearances.

Russell (1985-92, ’95-96) began his Texas career as a starter before he was moved to the bullpen full-time in 1989. He remains the team’s all-time leader with 406 relief appearances and ranks second behind John Wetteland with 134 saves.

The pair will be honored as the 18th and 19th members of the Rangers’ Hall of Fame in a pre-game ceremony July 11 at Globe Life Park.

Texas Activates Blanks, Options Patton

First baseman/outfielder Kyle Blanks was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Thursday while right-hander Spencer Patton was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding roster move.

The Rangers also released left-handed pitcher Mike Kickham – who had been claimed on waivers from Seattle last month – from the Round Rock roster.

Rangers Notes: Hamilton Returns for Second Stint in Texas

Josh Hamilton began working out Tuesday at the Rangers’ spring training complex in Arizona, one day after his trade to Texas was formalized.

In a move that was announced quickly but may have been in the works for months, outfielder Josh Hamilton was re-acquired from the Angels on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later and cash.

Additionally, Los Angeles will pay a large portion of the roughly $80 million in salary still owed to Hamilton, with the Rangers reportedly on the hook for a total of less than $7 million.

Hamilton has not played this season (and did not even report to spring training) after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in February. It was revealed later that month that he had also suffered a drug relapse which he admitted to MLB.

Following weeks in limbo while his case was reviewed first by a four-member panel and then by an arbitrator, Hamilton learned in early April that he would not face any disciplinary measures by the league.

That decision ruffled a few feathers within the Angels organization, as Los Angeles had been hoping for a suspension in order to get some salary relief from Hamilton’s contract.

In the end, however, the Halos were all but forced to sell low on Hamilton, which is how he wound up back on the team with which he enjoyed his greatest success.

“Today is about moving forward,” Hamilton said at a press conference Monday afternoon at Globe Life Park. “It feels good to be back in Arlington. A lot of ballgames won here. It’s still the loudest ballpark I’ve played in.”

After signing a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels in December 2012, Hamilton turned in back-to-back subpar seasons with numbers far below his career averages.

A lifetime .304 hitter who had made five straight All-Star Game appearances before joining the Angels, he batted just .255 during his time in Anaheim while garnering only one major honor – an American League Player of the Week award in April 2014.

Hamilton’s solid start last year was interrupted when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb on an attempted dive into first base, an injury that required surgery and ultimately cost him two months’ worth of playing time.

“We determined as an organization that this is the right move for us,” Los Angeles general manager Jerry Dipoto said of Hamilton’s departure.

“It was something we determined some time ago … This was not the way we envisioned any of this playing out when we signed Josh, but at the end of the day, we felt this was the best for the team, to be able to clear the air and move forward with [the] 25 guys we have on the field today.”

A day after his re-introductory press conference in Texas, the 33-year-old Hamilton arrived at the team’s spring training complex in Surprise, Ariz., where he worked out and took about 50 swings off a tee.

The plan is for him to gradually increase his strength and stamina before beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock later this month.

Surgery Sends Moreland to DL

First baseman Mitch Moreland was a late scratch Tuesday while dealing with lingering tightness in his left elbow, and the decision was made for him to be placed on the 15-day disabled list and undergo surgery Wednesday to remove bone chips from the area.

The injury is expected to keep Moreland out of action for two to three weeks, and first baseman Kyle Blanks was called up from Round Rock to replace him on the active roster. A 40-man roster spot was created for Blanks when outfielder Alex Hassan was designated for assignment.

Blanks was recently named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week after hitting .565 over a seven-game stretch with two home runs, five doubles and six runs batted in for the Express.

Scheppers Optioned to Round Rock

Right-handed reliever Tanner Scheppers was optioned to Triple-A on Monday while southpaw Alex Claudio was recalled from Round Rock to replace him on the Rangers’ active roster.

Scheppers, 28, had been shaky in his five outings since returning from a sprained ankle in mid-April, posting an earned run average of 11.25 and allowing either a base hit or a walk in every appearance.

Seattle Completes Sweep in Arlington

Texas dropped two out of three games to the Angels in Southern California over the weekend before enduring a three-game home sweep at the hands of the Mariners.

Seattle cruised to relatively easy victories Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday behind quality starts from Taijuan Walker, J.A. Happ and Felix Hernandez, respectively, with closer Fernando Rodney earning the save in all three games.

Rangers Notes: Gallardo Tabbed for Opening Day Start

Fort Worth native Yovani Gallardo will get the nod for Texas on April 6 against the Oakland Athletics.

Texas manager Jeff Banister announced Thursday that right-hander Yovani Gallardo will draw the starting assignment for the Rangers when they open the season Apr. 6 in Oakland.

It will be the sixth consecutive Opening Day start for Gallardo, who started each of the past five openers for the Milwaukee Brewers. The 29-year-old had spent his entire career with the Brewers before he was acquired by Texas in a four-player trade in January.

Gallardo has struggled in his three Cactus League outings this spring, but he has the best recent track record of the healthy starters in camp, winning 12 or more games for five consecutive years with Milwaukee before a slight drop to eight victories last season.

He becomes the Rangers’ de facto No. 1 starter with Yu Darvish out for the year following reconstructive arm surgery and southpaw Derek Holland slowed by shoulder soreness this spring.

“His experience, just how he has been pitching,” Banister said of Gallardo. “This guy has all the ingredients that go into being an Opening Day starter.”

Across 214 appearances spanning parts of eight major-league seasons, Gallardo has a career record of 89-64 with a 3.69 earned run average and 1,226 strikeouts, averaging better than 14 wins per year from 2009-13.

“No matter if it’s the first time or how many times, it is an honor and a privilege to get the ball on day one,” he said. “There are a lot of guys here who are capable of doing it. That’s why they call it a staff.”

Gallardo is expected to be joined in the rotation by Holland, right-hander Colby Lewis and left-hander Ross Detwiler, who was told on Thursday that he will break camp with the ballclub.

“I feel good about the way the spring has gone,” Detwiler said. “I still have work to do; it’s a long season. I want to get off to a good start and stay healthy.”

The final spot in the Texas rotation has come down to a battle among right-handers Lisalverto Bonilla, Nick Martinez, Anthony Ranaudo and Nick Tepesch.

Prospects Gallo, Gonzalez Headline Cuts

Two of the ballclub’s top prospects – third baseman Joey Gallo and right-handed pitcher Alex “Chi Chi” Gonzalez – were trimmed from the spring roster as part of a series of transactions this week.

Gallo was one of four players (along with first baseman Kyle Blanks, outfielder Jared Hoying and right-hander David Martinez) reassigned to minor-league camp on Monday, when the Rangers also released lefty Joe Beimel while optioning catcher Jorge Alfaro to Frisco and righty Spencer Patton and catcher Tomas Telis to Round Rock.

Following a solid five-inning performance against the Reds, Gonzalez was shipped out to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday as infielder Hanser Alberto and right-hander Ross Wolf were sent back to minor-league camp.

Richardson to Undergo Back Surgery

Outfielder Antoan Richardson is scheduled to have surgery and will be sidelined for up to two months after he was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back earlier this week.

The injury to Richardson could pave the way for Rule 5 Draft pick Delino DeShields to make the Rangers’ Opening Day roster as one of their extra outfielders, with speed on the bases as DeShields’ most valuable asset.